Online Bill Payers Incur Fewer Late FeesOnline Bill Payers Incur Fewer Late Fees

More than half of people who do their financial transactions online never pay late fees, a new survey has found.

Billeo, a company that provides tools for managing online bill paying, found about 75% of consumers who pay bills and shop online do so for the convenience. Most save electronic receipts from their transactions, according to the 2008 customer survey.

"The most important thing we glean from this study is that a growing number of consumers are not only more comfortable doing a variety of transactions online, but they prefer it," Murali Subbarao, founder and CEO of Billeo, said in a statement released Monday. "We believe that the new economic situation will make them more savvy about how and when they spend their money and how they manage and store their online shopping and bill payment information. In uncertain times, they have the ability to exercise more control over how and when they pay bills, as well as how they track and evaluate expenses."

The company found that more than 31% of those who engage in online transactions are baby boomers, and more than 58% are older than 45. Over 56% have attended college, and more than half of those users hold a graduate degree. Ninety percent have credit cards and 47% carry no debt on their cards, according to the survey.

"Currently, more than two-thirds of online consumers pay at least one of their monthly bills with a credit or debit card," Ron Shevlin, senior analyst for consulting firm, Aite Group, said in a statement. "As the growth rate for noncard based online bill payment slows, Aite Group believes that banks will find their highest rate of growth in online bill pay from card-based payers. There is an opportunity for banks and billers to acquire an attractive set of consumers -- consumers that are relatively affluent, are a low credit risk and actively engaged and loyal to the firms with which they do business."

Credit card bills top the list of popular bills to pay online. The other top bills paid online cover utilities, telephone services, cable, satellite, wireless, and insurance. Credit cards also ranked highest for amounts paid, with an average bill of $602.

Billeo is a secure Web-based tool to streamline online transactions for bill paying through checking accounts, credit cards, and alternative methods. The company offers single log-on and one-click completion of online shopping and bill paying. Payments go immediately to providers and retailers and electronic receipts are automatically filed for customers.

Billeo's Biller Directory contains links to more than 7,000 companies accepting online bill payments. Customers can use the Splendid Search tool to search for receipts by company name, amount paid, credit card used, or date. The company has partnerships with several top banks and most major credit card companies. Its toolbar for managing and tracking transactions is free.